Negotiations to bring Chris Eubank Jr. back to Nigeria for a December bout are reportedly moving forward at a good pace, according to Ezekiel Adamu, the founder of Balmoral Promotions. The British middle‑weight made a trip to the West African nation in June as part of a broader assessment of his career options after suffering a loss to Conor Benn at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last November.
During that visit, Adamu reiterated his long‑standing ambition to stage high‑profile fights on Nigerian soil, citing past attempts to secure British heavyweights Anthony Joshua and Moses Itauma. While those larger‑scale projects remain on the horizon, Eubank Jr. represents the most realistic short‑term target for a marquee event.
Adamu recently hosted Eubank Jr. in Nigeria, and the son of former champion Chris Eubank Sr.
was greeted enthusiastically as he walked through the bustling streets of Mushin, a district of Lagos known for its vibrant street life. Although the British boxer will not appear on the card in Lagos on Friday—when local favorite Taiwo Agbaje faces South Africa’s Ayabonga Sonjika and WBO Africa cruiserweight champion Godday Appah meets Lekan Muibi—Adamu’s focus remains fixed on securing a December showdown with the 36‑year‑old fighter. "Chris is as big as it comes. We've had big superstars, but for Chris to come here, it was actually emotional for me to get this guy," Adamu told the Press Association.
"We're looking at him coming here for a fight in December. We're still in negotiations, but that's coming along nicely." The promoter explained that the process involves more than just a simple invitation.
"We had to bring him over here to see what we're doing, to meet the right people, to get government support and to meet the sponsors that are going to pay for the event. Exciting times ahead," he added.
This logistical groundwork includes coordinating with the Nigerian Ministry of Sports, securing venue agreements in Lagos or Abuja, and lining up local corporate partners who can underwrite the financial outlay required for a high‑profile boxing night. Eubank Jr. has previously described himself as a "free agent," suggesting he is not tied to any single promotional outfit.
However, Ben Shalom, a well‑known promoter, has publicly asserted that the Brit is under a long‑term contract with Boxxer. Sky Sports News has reached out to Boxxer for comment, but no official response has been released as of yet. The broader context of Nigerian boxing is also worth noting.
In December, Lawrence Okolie headlined a Balmoral Promotions event in the country, and earlier this year Adamu held discussions with Eddie Hearn, the head of Matchroom Boxing and promoter of Anthony Joshua. Those talks were interrupted when Joshua was involved in a car accident in Nigeria at the close of 2025, an incident that temporarily shifted the focus of negotiations.
Looking ahead, Adamu has a substantial roster of potential candidates for future fights on the African continent. He mentioned that Deontay Wilder, who recently discovered ancestral ties to Nigeria, has expressed interest in fighting in his ancestral homeland.
Additionally, the promoter is in talks with Michael Ofo to explore possibilities involving Fabio Wardley, and he also cited Daniel Dubois as another name on his radar. "The options are endless for us here in Africa and at some point we'll see them," Adamu said.
"We've had Lawrence Okolie fight here, Tony Yoka fight here and hopefully we should have Chris Eubank Jr. fight here at some point this year, so exciting times for African boxing." If the December bout materialises, it would mark a significant milestone for both Eubank Jr. and the Nigerian boxing market. For the fighter, a successful appearance could rejuvenate his career after the setback against Benn, offering a platform to showcase his skills to a new fan base and potentially attract further high‑profile matchups.
For Nigeria, hosting a boxer of Eubank's stature would reinforce the country's growing reputation as a viable venue for world‑class boxing events, encouraging investment, tourism, and the development of local talent. The upcoming months will likely see intensified activity behind the scenes: finalising venue contracts, securing broadcast rights—potentially through streaming services like NOW—and confirming the fight card that will accompany Eubank Jr.'s appearance. If all parties remain aligned, the December showdown could become a landmark event, signalling a new era of major international boxing contests taking place on African soil.